Last Supermoon of 2024 Approaches Soon!

The year's final supermoon will happen on Thursday, November 14, 2024, as it makes its closest approach to Earth. This supermoon will be about 225,000 miles (361,867 kilometers) away and will reach its full lunar phase on the following day, Friday. Observers have a chance to witness this astronomical event shortly after the peak of the Taurid meteor shower and just before the Leonids become most active. In 2024, there have been four supermoons, which typically occur three to four times a year depending on the moon's orbit. The supermoons can appear significantly brighter than usual, with an increase in brightness of around 30%. The previous supermoons of this year occurred in August, September, and October, with October's being the closest at 222,055 miles (357,364 kilometers) from Earth. While the term 'supermoon' is more popular than scientific, it arises when a full moon coincides with the moon's closest approach to Earth. Although the difference in size is often barely perceptible to the naked eye, the brightness can be noticeably striking. Looking ahead, there will be three supermoons again in 2025, starting in October, continuing the trend of highlighting these celestial events. For those interested in astronomy, this is an opportunity not to be missed, as it will be a while before another supermoon occurs after this week.